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While visiting the majestic Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring experience, camping near the falls is an equally thrilling adventure. Staying in the great outdoors and exploring one of the top natural wonders of the world are a natural pairing. Camping on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls offers numerous state and privately owned campground options. When it comes to deciding how to camp at Niagara Falls, New York, take into account your camping style and when you plan to visit before making your campsite reservations.

Items you will need

Camping gear

Passport if visiting outside the United States

Step 1

Decide on the type and style of camping you desire. Most campgrounds around Niagara Falls have accommodations for RVs, tents and cabins, but the number of sites for a particular type of camping may be limited. The privately owned campgrounds differ somewhat in style, with some offering more daily activities for families than others. State-owned parks have limited daily recreation programs, instead catering to those who enjoy biking, fishing, hiking or nature trail walks.

Step 2

Select a camping region. The city of Niagara Falls, New York, is composed of four regions: Falls, River, Lake and Canal. When selecting a camping region, consider the driving distance between the campground and the falls. The Falls and River regions are closest to the mighty wonder. The state-owned parks in the Niagara region are Evangola State Park, with 86 campsites, Golden Hill State Park with 59 campsites and Four Mile Creek State Park with 275 sites.

The closest campground in the Falls region is the privately owned Niagara Fall Campground and Lodging. With 86 campsites for tents and RVs, the campground is six miles from the falls.

In the River region, Niagara Falls North KOA in Youngstown, with 86 sites, is 10 miles from the falls, while Niagara Woodland Campground in Ransomville, with 150 sites, is a 20-mile drive to Niagara Falls. Campgrounds in the Lake and Canal regions are more than 20 miles from the falls.

Step 3

Select the time of year for your visit. Niagara Falls is open year-round, however, the season for most campgrounds runs from April through October, with a few remaining open until mid-November. Two campgrounds, Plaza Court Motel and Campgrounds and AA Royal Motel and Campground with 25 and 33 campsites, respectively, are open year-round and are within 10 miles from the falls. Although summer is the most popular camping time at Niagara Falls, visiting during winter offers spectacular views as the spray off the falls forms ice mountains more than 100 feet high.

Make your reservations. Because Niagara Falls is a popular camping area, it is recommended that you reserve your campsite early. Reservations at state park campgrounds are taken up to nine months in advance by either calling toll-free 800-456-2267 or reserving online at newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Privately owned campgrounds also recommend advance reservations.

Tip

Some privately owned campgrounds offer shuttle buses to the falls for free or a nominal fee.

Niagara Falls Reservation State Park, the oldest state park in the United States, offers many different ways to view the falls, including from the Maid of the Mist boat and a Caves of the Wind tour. There is also the famous New York State Observation Tower in Prospect Point Park.

Warning

When making your campground reservations, be sure to specify Niagara Falls, New York, as your destination, since there is also a Niagara Falls, Ontario, on the Canadian side of the falls.

Resources

About the Author

Maryellen Cicione is an award-winning writer with more than 20 years' writing and editing experience. She boasts strong research skills and specializes in interviewing. Cicione's work has been published on numerous websites and in various magazines and newspapers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications.

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